New custom just rolled off the dryer. This rod is built on a Rogue SM 827 8’2″ 12-25# one piece blank, Split grip carbon fiber grips, Fuji ECSM blank through reel seat, and American Tackle Ring Lock Nanoplasma guides with blue inserts. Wrapped in Electric Blue with silver/blue Metallic Twist trim.

Awesome American Tackle Ring Lock Nanoplasma guides with blue inserts. Electric blue thread with a decorative blue/silver Metallic Twist trim on each guide. Came out AWESOME!

Some custom wrap work done in the rear split grip section of the handle

This rod is ready to back bounce a juicy bait of eggs to a waiting salmon
Tight Lines, bent rods, and screaming drags to all!

These two Reel Tech Custom rods are ready for delivery.
Spinning Rod:
Rogue SS963 9’6″ 4-8# blank, the awesome REC Black Pearl Titanium Guides, split grip carbon fiber handle, and the American Tackle AERO spin seat. This rod has all the bells and whistles and is going to be a steelhead slayer Wrapped with silver main wraps/blue trim.

Casting Rod:
Rogue K762B 7’6″ blended kokanee blank, Fuji ECSM blank through reel seat, Fuji Alconite Guides, and full length carbon fiber handle. Wrapped with silver main wraps/blue trim. Unique and fun rod for sure

Here are photos of the grip sections of both the spinning and casting rod:

Enjoy the rods Gary and most important……..HAVE FUN

Finished this beautiful pair of rods for a great customer. These rods are unique, they are a Rogue K762B 7’6″ blended Kokanee blank. These rods are something else as far as their strength and slow action. They are fun rods to be used for anything, even plugs for larger salmon
Fuji ECSM blank through reel seats, full length carbon fiber handles, Fuji Alconite guides, wrapped with blue main wraps/purple trim. SWEET

I know Kenny is going to have a blast testing the limits of these very unique rods! Enjoy them my friend

Got a nice message and photo from a happy angler. The photo is of a DANDY winter steelhead caught on his Reel Tech Custom Spinning Rod.

Here are Matty’s words:
“Here is one pf my 2 that I caught today. The rod fishes great I just love it. We hooked 7 boated 6 and kept 6 great day on the water.”

Thank you for sharing the photo Matty. You made my day. I am very happy you love the rods. I wish you continued success and happiness my friend!!

Tight Lines and Screaming Drags to ALL!

This is a custom spinning rod built for a hard core fishing gal. The rod is built on a Rogue SS904 9′ 6-10# blank, with an American Tackle AERO spinning seat, Split grip carbon fiber handles, and Fuji Alconite guides. This rod is ready to catch LOTS of fish Liz!

Black hook keeper, blue main wraps with purple trim:

Fuji Alconite guides:

Decorative wrap in rear section of split grip area:

FISH ON!!

This is a 7′ custom spinning rod headed to a gal in Idaho. Built on a Rogue 7′ 6-10# blank with an American Tackle AERO spinning seat, Split grip carbon fiber handles, and Fuji Alconite guides. Great choices Sandy!

Black hook keeper, blue wrap with fuchsia trim:

Decorative wrap in the rear section of split grip handle:

Fuji Alconite Guides, blue main wrap with fuchsia trim:

Tight lines!

Finished a custom Rod for a son who wanted to get his father an extra special gift for his birthday. He left it up to me to design the rod with one request, he said his father would love it if there would be some Italian flair and if at all possible, some type of dragon. This is what I came up with. I think it came out beautifully, his Dad is going to be STOKED!!

Rogue 7′ 2-6# blank, custom spinning rod. REC Titanium guides, American Tackle AERO comfort reel seat, carbon fiber split grip handles. Red main wraps with gold/red combo trim. Gold aluminum winding checks, and a truly custom butt section!

Gold aluminum winding checks, red main wraps with red/gold combo thread trim bands. SWEET !

Italian flag design with red dragon inlaid on top of the flag. This is what custom is–a personalized and true Custom rod for an Italian gentleman !!!

Tight lines and bent rods to all!

Completed a pair of custom crank bait rods using a Rogue CB2 7’11″ 6-12# blank, and a Rogue CB3 7’11″ 8-17# blank. Cork split grip handle systems with Fuji ACS exposed blank trigger seats, and Fuji Alconite guides complete the builds.

The custom smallmouth bass decals on the rods add a nice touch to these custom rods.

Ready for spring, and for tossing crank baits to dig out eager bronzebacks
Tight Lines!

Here is a pair of custom steelhead rods built for a customer with great taste. Matty wanted one spinning rod and one casting rod, and he chose the great Lamiglas XMG50 blanks for the core of the builds.

Spinning Rod:
Lamiglas XMG50 114-2LL 9’6″ 4-8# spinning blank.
American Tackle AERO spinning seat.
REC Black Pearl Titanium Spinning guides.
Split grip carbon fiber handle.
Fuschia wraps with truquoise trim.

Casting Rod:
Lamiglas XMG50 114-2M 9’6″ 6-12# casting blank.
Fuji Alconite guides.
Fuji ECSM blank exposed reel seat.
Carbon fiber split grip handle.
Fuschia wrap with Turquoise trim.

Enjoy the rods Matty, wishing you many fish for years to come !

Bent rods, tight lines, and screaming drags to all!

There is increasing popularity of the use of braided lines in all types of fishing. Braids can be fished effectively on spinning reels as well as casting reels, and I personally use braid on both.

You will need to consider the type of fishing you are going to do and what type of fish you are chasing when determining which casting reel to purchase for the use of braided lines.

The differences in the reels to consider are that of a disengaging or non-disengaging level wind (the part that your line goes through and that guides your line back and forth across the spool while retrieving).

Reels that have a disengaging level wind, such as most of the small low profile baitcasting reels, the level wind is driven only when you are turning the reel handle. “Reels that have a non-disengaging level wind, such as the Abu round reels, some Calcuttas, The Toro version of the Abu REVO, etc. the level wind is driven by the spools movement, whether the reel is in gear or in free spool.”

The Abu Round reels such as the 6500 C4 shown below have a non disengaging level wind. The level wind is driven by spool movement:

The Shimano Curado shown below has a disengaging level wind. The level wind is driven by turning the handle. The level wind is disengaged when in free spool or when just the spool is moving while a fish is taking line:

My recommendation to you all is that if you are chasing fish that will take long, hard runs, or repeated drag burning runs while you are fighting them, it is to your benefit and advantage to purchase a reel with a non-disengaging level wind (one that is driven by spool movement). This way, as the fish is peeling off line on a hard run under some drag pressure, the level wind is following/guiding the braided line off of the spool. I have repaired many reels that were broken because of using disengaging level winds for big hard running fish. Braid is a very tough, abrasive, no stretch, unforgiving line. The angles created by the line coming off of the reel through a stationary level wind can destroy the level wind system. On the other hand, fishing for bass or other fish that do not take drag burning runs, a disengaging level wind is fine and works wonderfully.

For spinning reels the above does not come into play. You can fish braided line on all good quality spinning reels without much concern.

Tight lines and screaming drags to all!!